News
Lecturers, Parents Want Hitch-Free UTME
Ahead of the March 24 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), stakeholders recently in Lagos urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) to ensure a hitch-free examination.
The stakeholders, including lecturers and parents, spoke against the backdrop of criticisms that had trailed previous examinations, which recorded some sharp practices, shortage or non-provision of materials by the board.
Our correspondent reports that in 2010, more than 1.49 million candidates sat for the matriculation exam into polytechnics, colleges of education and the universities across the country.
Prof. Lai Olurode of the Social Sciences Department, University of Lagos, told newsmen that the examination should be devoid of malpractice or any hitch.
“JAMB should conduct a hitch-free and malpractice-free exam to justify the confidence reposed in it by stakeholders.
“We hope to see a credible examination that will surpass other set standards.
“A situation whereby some candidates, after gaining admission into the university cannot cope, leaves so much to be desired,” he said.
Dr Olubunmi Ajibade, senior lecturer, Mass Communications Department, University of Lagos, said JAMB should live up to its billing by conducting a credible examination.
“We want to see an examination that Nigerians will be proud of.
“The integrity of the examination should be protected as stakeholders expect much from JAMB,’’ he said.
In his comment, Mr Femi Omokunge, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology Chapter, advised JAMB to recruit only people of integrity as examiners and invigilators.
“The Board should avoid a situation whereby institutions will doubt the integrity of the exam,” he said. A civil servant, Mrs Olufunke Martins, appealed to the authorities to ensure that the examination was not compromised.
According to her, everything should be done by the board and security agencies to reduce cases of malpractice.
Meanwhile, more than 10, 000 officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been deployed to supervise the examination in 3, 001 centres nationwide.
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, said necessary logistics had been put in place to ensure a successful conduct of the examination.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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